Teachout to stay on primary ballot

August 13, 2014 —

Zephyr Teachout, a law professor who is challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, will remain on the ballot. Cuomo’s campaign challenged Teachout’s residency in the state, but a judge ruled on August 11 that Cuomo’s team had not proved that she lived in another state.

Teachout, who is a vocal opponent of fracking, has campaigned in Sullivan County and has two more appearances planned. She and her running mate, Tim Wu, will have a meet-and-greet on Saturday, August 16 at 11:30 a.m. at 2948 Rte. 209, in Wurtsboro. A second one is tentatively set for August 23 at 1 p.m. at the Pavilion in front of the town hall in Lumberland.

Meanwhile, Teachout’s candidacy has caused some friction at the local level because the Sullivan County Democratic Committee had previously endorsed Cuomo in the primary. This prompted Bruce Ferguson, chair of the Democratic Committee of the Town of Callicoon and a Teachout supporter, to question the process of the endorsement and who had been involved with making the decision.

Responding to an email sent to various people in the Democratic Party and to media outlets, former county legislator David Sager, who signed as a Democratic Party vice chairman, wrote, “Historically in the political party system, the ‘party’ backs the incumbent candidate and office holder who was already previously and successfully elected by not only his party, but the general electorate… The winner of the Democratic Primary will receive the Democratic Line and party support from that point forward.”